Optimized pneumatic drive lines

Abstract

In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system. The system includes a pneumatic surgical instrument and a surgical console operable to provide compressed gas to the pneumatic surgical instrument. Additionally, the system includes a pneumatic drive line coupling the pneumatic surgical instrument to the surgical console. The pneumatic drive line has an internal bore configured to deliver the compressed gas to the pneumatic surgical instrument. The internal bore has a non-uniform cross-section along a length of the pneumatic drive line.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An ophthalmic surgical instrument, the instrument comprising:
 a pneumatically-powered probe cutter; and   a pneumatic drive line assembly comprising a multi-segment drive line providing pneumatic pulses from a pneumatic pulse source of a surgical console to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the multi-segment drive line including
 a first segment, the first segment having
 a proximal end coupled to a port of the surgical console, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end, and 
 a first internal bore for providing the pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the first internal bore having a first cross-sectional area, and 
 
 a second segment, the second segment having
 a proximal end in pneumatic communication with the distal end of the first segment, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end of the second segment coupled to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, and 
 a second internal bore for providing the pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the second internal bore having a second cross-sectional area different than the first cross-sectional area. 
 
   
     
     
         22 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         23 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the first segment has a first length and the second segment has a second length. 
     
     
         24 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 23 , wherein the second length is shorter than the first length. 
     
     
         25 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 23 , wherein the first cross-sectional area is substantially constant along the entire first length. 
     
     
         26 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 23 , wherein the second cross-sectional area is substantially constant along the entire second length. 
     
     
         27 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the pneumatic drive line assembly includes a sleeve coupling the first segment to the second segment. 
     
     
         28 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 27 , wherein the distal end of the first segment is inserted into a proximal bore of the sleeve, and the proximal end of the second segment is inserted into a distal bore of the sleeve. 
     
     
         29 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the multi-segment drive line comprises a continuous drive line having the first segment and the second segment. 
     
     
         30 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 29 , wherein the continuous drive line includes the first segment and the second segment in a stepped configuration. 
     
     
         31 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 29 , wherein the continuous drive line includes the first segment and the second segment in a continuously tapered configuration. 
     
     
         32 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 29 , wherein the continuous drive line includes an internal bore having a continuously non-constant cross-sectional area over substantially an entire length of the continuous drive line. 
     
     
         33 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the multi-segment drive line includes a third segment having
 a first end in pneumatic communication with the distal end of the first segment,   a second end opposite the first end of the third segment in pneumatic communication with the proximal end of the second segment, and   a third internal bore for providing the pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the third internal bore having a third cross-sectional area.   
     
     
         34 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 33 , wherein the third cross-sectional area is different than at least one of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         35 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 33 , wherein the third cross-sectional area is larger than at least one of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         36 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 33 , wherein the third cross-sectional area is smaller than at least one of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         37 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the first cross-sectional area is a circular cross-sectional area with a diameter of about 0.150 inches and the second cross-sectional area is a circular cross-sectional area with a diameter of about 0.06 inches. 
     
     
         38 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the first cross-sectional area of the first internal bore is circular. 
     
     
         39 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the second cross-sectional area of the second internal bore is circular. 
     
     
         40 . A pneumatic surgical system comprising:
 a pneumatic pulse source of a surgical console;   a pneumatically-powered probe cutter;   a multi-segment drive line providing pneumatic pulses from the pneumatic pulse source to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the multi-segment drive line including
 a first segment, the first segment having
 a proximal end coupled to a port of the surgical console, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end, and 
 a first internal bore for providing the pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the first internal bore having a first cross-sectional area, and 
 
 a second segment, the second segment having
 a proximal end in pneumatic communication with the distal end of the first segment, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end of the second segment coupled to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, and 
 a second internal bore for providing the pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the second internal bore having a second cross-sectional area different than the first cross-sectional area. 
 
   
     
     
         41 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 40 , wherein the second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         42 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 40 , wherein the first segment has a first length and the second segment has a second length. 
     
     
         43 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 42 , wherein the second length is shorter than the first length. 
     
     
         44 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 42 , wherein the first cross-sectional area is substantially constant along the entire first length. 
     
     
         45 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 42 , wherein the second cross-sectional area is substantially constant along the entire second length. 
     
     
         46 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 40 , wherein the pneumatic drive line assembly includes a sleeve coupling the first segment to the second segment. 
     
     
         47 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 46 , wherein the distal end of the first segment is inserted into a proximal bore of the sleeve, and the proximal end of the second segment is inserted into a distal bore of the sleeve. 
     
     
         48 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 40 , wherein the multi-segment drive line comprises a continuous drive line having the first segment and the second segment. 
     
     
         49 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 48 , wherein the continuous drive line includes the first segment and the second segment in a stepped configuration. 
     
     
         50 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 48 , wherein the continuous drive line includes the first segment and the second segment in a continuously tapered configuration. 
     
     
         51 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 48 , wherein the continuous drive line includes an internal bore having a continuously non-constant cross-sectional area over substantially an entire length of the continuous drive line. 
     
     
         52 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 40 , wherein the multi-segment drive line includes a third segment having
 a first end in pneumatic communication with the distal end of the first segment,   a second end opposite the first end of the third segment in pneumatic communication with the proximal end of the second segment, and   a third internal bore for providing the pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the third internal bore having a third cross-sectional area.   
     
     
         53 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 52 , wherein the third cross-sectional area is different than at least one of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         54 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 52 , wherein the third cross-sectional area is larger than at least one of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         55 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 52 , wherein the third cross-sectional area is smaller than at least one of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         56 . The pneumatic surgical system of  claim 40 , wherein the first cross-sectional area is a circular cross-sectional area with a diameter of about 0.150 inches and the second cross-sectional area is a circular cross-sectional area with a diameter of about 0.06 inches. 
     
     
         57 . An ophthalmic surgical instrument, the instrument comprising:
 a pneumatically-powered probe cutter; and   a multi-segment drive line providing pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter from a pneumatic pulse source of a surgical console, the multi-segment drive line including
 a first segment, the first segment having
 a proximal end coupled to a port of the surgical console, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end, and 
 a first internal bore for providing the pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the first internal bore having a first cross-sectional area, and 
 
 a second segment, the second segment having
 a proximal end in pneumatic communication with the distal end of the first segment, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end of the second segment coupled to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, and 
 a second internal bore for providing the pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the second internal bore having a second cross-sectional area different than the first cross-sectional area. 
 
   
     
     
         58 . An ophthalmic surgical instrument, the instrument comprising:
 a pneumatically-powered probe cutter; and   a pneumatic drive line assembly comprising a multi-segment drive line providing oscillating pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas of a surgical console to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the multi-segment drive line including
 a first segment, the first segment having
 a proximal end coupled to a port of the surgical console, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end, and 
 a first internal bore for providing the oscillating pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the first internal bore having a first cross-sectional area, and 
 
 a second segment, the second segment having
 a proximal end in pneumatic communication with the distal end of the first segment, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end of the second segment coupled to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, and 
 a second internal bore for providing the oscillating pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the second internal bore having a second cross-sectional area different than the first cross-sectional area. 
 
   
     
     
         59 . A pneumatic surgical system comprising:
 a source of pressurized gas of a surgical console;   a pneumatically-powered probe cutter;   a multi-segment drive line providing oscillating pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the multi-segment drive line including
 a first segment, the first segment having
 a proximal end coupled to a port of the surgical console, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end, and 
 a first internal bore for providing the oscillating pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the first internal bore having a first cross-sectional area, and 
 
 a second segment, the second segment having
 a proximal end in pneumatic communication with the distal end of the first segment, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end of the second segment coupled to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, and 
 a second internal bore for providing the oscillating pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the second internal bore having a second cross-sectional area different than the first cross-sectional area. 
 
   
     
     
         60 . An ophthalmic surgical instrument, the instrument comprising:
 a pneumatically-powered probe cutter; and   a multi-segment drive line providing oscillating pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter from a source of pressurized gas of a surgical console, the multi-segment drive line including
 a first segment, the first segment having
 a proximal end coupled to a port of the surgical console, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end, and 
 a first internal bore for providing the oscillating pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the first internal bore having a first cross-sectional area, and 
 
 a second segment, the second segment having
 a proximal end in pneumatic communication with the distal end of the first segment, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end of the second segment coupled to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, and 
 a second internal bore for providing the oscillating pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the second internal bore having a second cross-sectional area different than the first cross-sectional area. 
 
   
     
     
         61 . An ophthalmic surgical instrument, the instrument comprising:
 a pneumatically-powered probe cutter; and   a first pneumatic drive line assembly providing a first plurality of pneumatic pulses from a pneumatic pulse source of a surgical console to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter; and   a second pneumatic drive line assembly providing a second plurality of pneumatic pulses from the pneumatic pulse source to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter; and   the first pneumatic drive line assembly comprising a multi-segment drive line having a length and including
 a first segment, the first segment having
 a proximal end coupled to a port of the surgical console, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end, and 
 a first internal bore for providing the first plurality of pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the first internal bore having a first cross-sectional area, and 
 
 a second segment, the second segment having
 a proximal end in pneumatic communication with the distal end of the first segment, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end of the second segment coupled to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, and 
 a second internal bore for providing the first plurality of pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the second internal bore having a second cross-sectional area different than the first cross-sectional area. 
 
   
     
     
         62 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 61 , wherein the second pneumatic drive line assembly comprises a multi-stage tubing having a length and including
 a first segment, the first segment having
 a proximal end coupled to a port of the surgical console, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end, and 
 a first internal bore for providing the second plurality of pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the first internal bore having a first cross-sectional area, and 
   a second segment, the second segment having
 a proximal end in pneumatic communication with the distal end of the first segment, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end of the second segment coupled to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, and 
 a second internal bore for providing the second plurality of pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the second internal bore having a second cross-sectional area different than the first cross-sectional area. 
   
     
     
         63 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 62 , wherein the proximal end of the first segment of the first pneumatic drive line assembly is configured to be connected to a first port of the surgical console and wherein the proximal end of the first segment of the second pneumatic drive line assembly is configured to be connected to a second port of the surgical console. 
     
     
         64 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 61 , wherein the second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         65 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 61 , wherein the first segment has a first length and the second segment has a second length. 
     
     
         66 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 65 , wherein the second length is shorter than the first length. 
     
     
         67 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 65 , wherein the first cross-sectional area is substantially constant along the entire first length. 
     
     
         68 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 65 , wherein the second cross-sectional area is substantially constant along the entire second length. 
     
     
         69 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 61 , wherein the first pneumatic drive line assembly includes a sleeve coupling the first segment to the second segment. 
     
     
         70 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 61 , wherein the multi-segment drive line comprises a continuous drive line having the first segment and the second segment. 
     
     
         71 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 70 , wherein the continuous drive line includes the first segment and the second segment in a stepped configuration. 
     
     
         72 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 70 , wherein the continuous drive line includes the first segment and the second segment in a continuously tapered configuration. 
     
     
         73 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 70 , wherein the continuous drive line includes an internal bore having a continuously non-constant cross-sectional area over substantially an entire length of the continuous drive line. 
     
     
         74 . The ophthalmic surgical instrument of  claim 61 , wherein the first cross-sectional area is a circular cross-sectional area with a diameter of about 0.150 inches and the second cross-sectional area is a circular cross-sectional area with a diameter of about 0.06 inches. 
     
     
         75 . An ophthalmic surgical instrument, the instrument comprising:
 a pneumatically-powered probe cutter driven by a pneumatic pulse source of a surgical console having a port providing pneumatic pulses at different rates;   a pneumatic drive line assembly comprising a multi-segment drive line connecting the pneumatic pulse source to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter and for providing the pneumatic pulses from the pneumatic pulse source to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the multi-segment drive line having a length and including
 a first segment, the first segment having
 a proximal end coupled to the port of the surgical console, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end, and 
 a first internal bore for providing the pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the first internal bore having a first diameter, and 
 
 a second segment, the second segment having
 a proximal end in pneumatic communication with the distal end of the first segment, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end of the second segment coupled to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, and 
 a second internal bore for providing the pneumatic pulses to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the second internal bore having a diameter different than the first diameter. 
 
   
     
     
         76 . An ophthalmic surgical instrument, the instrument comprising:
 a pneumatically-powered probe cutter; and   a first pneumatic drive line assembly providing a first plurality of oscillating pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas of a surgical console to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter; and   a second pneumatic drive line assembly providing a second plurality of oscillating pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter; and   the first pneumatic drive line assembly comprising a multi-segment drive line having a length and including
 a first segment, the first segment having
 a proximal end coupled to a port of the surgical console, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end, and 
 a first internal bore for providing the first plurality of oscillating pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the first internal bore having a first cross-sectional area, and 
 
 a second segment, the second segment having
 a proximal end in pneumatic communication with the distal end of the first segment, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end of the second segment coupled to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, and 
 a second internal bore for providing the first plurality of oscillating pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the second internal bore having a second cross-sectional area different than the first cross-sectional area. 
 
   
     
     
         77 . An ophthalmic surgical instrument, the instrument comprising:
 a pneumatically-powered probe cutter driven by a source of pressurized gas of a surgical console having a port providing oscillating pressurized gas at different rates;   a pneumatic drive line assembly comprising a multi-segment drive line connecting the source of pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter and for providing the oscillating pressurized gas from the source of pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the multi-segment drive line having a length and including
 a first segment, the first segment having
 a proximal end coupled to the port of the surgical console, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end, and 
 a first internal bore for providing the oscillating pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the first internal bore having a first diameter, and 
 
 a second segment, the second segment having
 a proximal end in pneumatic communication with the distal end of the first segment, 
 a distal end opposite the proximal end of the second segment coupled to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, and 
 a second internal bore for providing the oscillating pressurized gas to the pneumatically-powered probe cutter, the second internal bore having a diameter different than the first diameter.